Offset entities query
Offset entities query
(OP)
Hi
Why do I find this so difficult? I must be missing something!
Simplified example: Consider the end of a bit of tube. It has an outside circular edge and an inside edge. If I select the face I can then select OFFSET ENTITIES and it shows an offset sketch line from the outside edge. How do I get it to convert the inside edge instead?
My real example is an irregular shaped aperture so more tricky. The 'select chain' box is greyed out.
At the moment I have to tediously select each segment of the internal edge first but there must be an easier way!!
Why do I find this so difficult? I must be missing something!
Simplified example: Consider the end of a bit of tube. It has an outside circular edge and an inside edge. If I select the face I can then select OFFSET ENTITIES and it shows an offset sketch line from the outside edge. How do I get it to convert the inside edge instead?
My real example is an irregular shaped aperture so more tricky. The 'select chain' box is greyed out.
At the moment I have to tediously select each segment of the internal edge first but there must be an easier way!!






RE: Offset entities query
- - -Updraft
RE: Offset entities query
It seems tedious indeed to have to select edges; for instance just the inside of a plain square tube with radiused corners has 8 edges....
Why doesn't SW have an option to select outside, inside or both when converting the face to entities? (like some other menu boxes that pop up when certain selections are optional)
RE: Offset entities query
Good point. This would be appropriate for an Enhancement Request.
- - -Updraft
RE: Offset entities query
Cheers,
Anna Wood
Core i7 EE965, FirePro V8700, 12 Gb RAM, OCZ Vertex 120 Gb SSD, Dell 3008WFP 30" Monitor
SW2010 SP2.1, Windows 7 x64
http://www.solidmuse.com
http://www.phxswug.com
RE: Offset entities query
Thanks for that tip. I have to say that having tried it it seems a bit hit and miss. Sometimes I can get it to work and others not.
RE: Offset entities query
RE: Offset entities query
I agree with the previous suggestion that it should be a simple inside or outside select choice in SW to start with.
RE: Offset entities query
The Select Loop function can be used for 2D and 3D sketches, making it a common method for entity selection. Inside and outside elements may not be so clearly defined in organically contoured parts.
RE: Offset entities query
Select the face, then ctrl-select one edge from the inside profile, then hit offset........
RE: Offset entities query
RE: Offset entities query
RE: Offset entities query
Just tried that on a very complex profile and it worked - simple!!
Many thanks to you all.
RE: Offset entities query
For multiple inner profiles try using your selection Filter F5 and select edges (e is the default button assignment. This lets you pick the inner profile edges in one rectangular selection. If you want to apply the same offset dimension to multiple loops you can use Convert Entities and then offset the result with a single dimension to control all profile offset distances.
Michael